looking for another wanderer. . .

Greetings All,

I'm making plans for my next trip out to China. This time I and my wife will be flying into Shanghai and we'll be staying for three weeks. Looks like the middle of May would be the earliest to arrive. We still aren't able to lock down dates as we're dealing with renewing my wife's Green Card here in the States and we have to work around the gov'ts schedule.

Anyway, I am presently negotiating with another forum member, ShanghaiFingers (Winston Sa) to rent a Chang Jiang rig from him. I'm planning on spending 5 to 7 days traveling around the back roads.

So far there is no exact itinerary, just the notion that we'll pick the bike up in Shanghai and ride some sort of big loop that ends back in Shanghai 7 days later. I've never attempted to camp in China and I am totally unfamiliar with that part of China. I don't know the "rules of the road" as far as what is allowed when one is looking for a camping spot. If anyone with experience cares to share I'd appreciate it.

Right now I am trying to convince two of my riding buddies to come over with us so that we can make a group ride, but they're hard to convince. I'd much prefer to ride with some other folks to make the ride more enjoyable and add a little peace of mind. Any China Riders living in or near Shanghai that would be interested in such a trip?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers,

Dan K.
Black Hawk, Colorado

Forget about camping around Shanghai. The region and the terrain are not appropriate for that. You'll find cheap hotels everywhere.

Brice,

Thanks for the reply. It's disheartening however. I was hoping to be able to camp every other night. How far away from Shanghai does one need to go before that possibility arises?

What is it about the topography that makes camping difficult? I understand if an area is too built-up, but otherwise don't see what would prevent camping. I know there's no such thing as a commercial campground or provincial-type park to offer camping, but I've gotten all around Europe and North America just by traveling off the road a little bit.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Dan K.

The area around Shanghai is a vast crowded delta with low lands close to sea level. When it is not built, it is rice fields, rivers or ponds.

You will find few spots where you can set up a tent but they will be certainly full of rubbish.

Also if security is one of your concerns better to stay in an hotel where you can park your bike.

Regarding the hotels, you can find some very cheap places. It's called hotel but it is more few rooms on the back or above a shop.

Dan,

Camping is pretty difficult in most parts of "non-remote" China. Doesn't seem to matter where you stop, someone comes along and then it becomes a crowd. If the police find you, they won't really care that your camping, but they don't want to risk the loss of face if something happens to you, or your stuff, on their watch. Generally they will try to persuade you to find other accommodations for the night.

Technically speaking, you're suppose to register where you are each day at the local police station or a certified hotel. I have rarely seen this law enforced, but it does happen on occasion.

Good luck with the upcoming adventure, even if you don't camp it's going to be a great time. :thumbsup:

Cheers!
ChinaV

I love camping so during my last trip I had a tent, a sleeping bag and all the needed gear to do my meals. I never used them once in a month. I could have saved 5 or 6 kg. Always found a village with a place to sleep, have a shower and a good dinner. Also it was one of the rare moments where I could interact with people after a day alone on the bike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brice

The area around Shanghai is a vast crowded delta with low lands close to sea level. When it is not built, it is rice fields, rivers or ponds.

You will find few spots where you can set up a tent but they will be certainly full of rubbish.

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Very true Brice. I want to add that this area is heavily populated and you'll probably don't even have a minute alone, provided that you were able to find a spot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brice

Also if security is one of your concerns better to stay in an hotel where you can park your bike.

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I think this depends very much on the region you are camping. Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi have never been a security problem for us. We stayed away from bigger towns and made contact with the locals. Buy something from them, like fresh eggs for breakfast, and they'll be your friends. Sometimes village police show up, invite them to stay for a beer and you are very safe. Bring some giveaways like lighters, pens, imported candy or other small stuff. Sometimes they even show you better spots to pitch your tent.

Andy

Hey Guys,

You can camp "near" Shanghai but its at least a full days ride from the city....
It completely un offical and most likely on a farmers land.... but has been done and can be done again:thumbsup:

You should watch this video

http://www.danielmontejo.com/videos/...%20(small).wmv

Thanks everyone for the info. I was hoping one day's ride would get me far enough out to be able to find camping spots. It's not the end of the world if I have to motel it every night. It would certainly knock down the amount of gear that I'll have to either bring over or buy/rent in Shanghai.

I'm negotiating with Winston Sa on the bike rental etc. right now so maybe he can provide me some GPS coordinates for some camping spots he knows.

Again, if any Shanghai bikers are interested, I'd welcome and enjoy more company.

Cheers,

Dan K.

I'd like to bring as little gear as possible over with me on the plane. I've never looked on my previous trips over for gear prices. Anyone near Shanghai know of the availablility of reasonalble quality helmets?

They're too bulky to bring over, but I don't want to wear the typical unlined plastic shell that I've seen so many native riders use. Is it possible to find a helmet that is at least DOT certified?

Cheers,

Dan k.

Dan,

I will take you to the motorcycle market in Shanghai and we can out fit you with a helmet of your choice.

Winston

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanKearney

. Is it possible to find a helmet that is at least DOT certified?

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Yeah.............I'll print the stickers myself.:thumbsup:

Yes easy to find a pretty good lid......and DOT compliance is I believe self policing so :lol8:

The new latest wiz bang helmet brand locally in Shanghai is Tanked..........check the prices on www.taobao.com The literature states DOT compliance for some of their products @350 RMB for their top of the line. I've seen them at the bike market in Shanghai.........and now you also have something to base your bargaining skills around. Also easy to find Harley leather jackets and boots.......but then again it has Harley plastered all over it.

After seeing my friends Chinese Pilots helmet that I also favour fall 3 feet and crack like an egg I believe I'll be looking for a replacement soon. The temple piercing visor bolts should have been the first clue however.

As usual very few of the many, many helmets available inside China are DOT or Snell certified. However millions of helmets that meet these standards are manufactured in China for export. This is because most Chinese riders only use helmets to keep their head warm in winter, thus there is very low domestic demand for anything decent, and hence the low availability. :lol8:

Hey, thanks to everyone for the information and offers of help, but it looks like my nascent plans for a proper bike romp around the countryside are going to have to be put on hold.

My wife and I come back to China every two years 'cause it takes that long to save up the money for the airfare, hotels, etc. Unfortunately, although I can easily afford the cost of renting a bike, etc. the company that I was dealing with needs for me to provide a sizable cash security deposit for the bike. I just can't swing it. Such is life.

That, as they say, is life. I guess I'll just have to settle for being a regular old tourist on this next visit.

Cheers,

Dan K.

Dan,

I really sorry things could not be different..... Let me know if there is anything you need help with in the future.

Winston

Winston,

No worries. Thanks for your help. Hopefully, in the future, things will work out better.

Cheers,

Dan K.

Once again, thanks to everyone who's offered help and information.

It looks like my wife's Green Card renewal paperwork went through OK, so we're confident enough to schedule May 23rd. as our date for flying from Denver to Shanghai. I got the boss to let me take three weeks in a row off (I was sweating that request a little bit. We just laid off 40% my fellow I.T. staffers last week! Yikes. . .), so we'll be in China until June 13th.

I'm itching to get a bike under me while I'm there. I intend to check out a few CJ shops in Shanghai while we spend a few days doing the tourist thing when we arrive. Then it's off to SuZhou, HangZhou, and NanJing for some days.

We're going to take the train from NanJing up to BeiJing, where I'm hoping that I'll be able to get two wheels under me for at least 5 days. No firm plans there yet, but I've rec'd offers of help in that regard.

The only potential hiccup at this point is my wife went and had a few interviews with a Chinese paper manufacturing company that is looking to expand into the U.S. domestic paper market and is looking for a marketing manager for their start-up based in Los Angeles. Two paychecks coming in would be nice, but I'm hoping this won't break out plans.

I hope that I'll be meeting in person a few of you folks that I've met here in MCM. Beers are on me.

Cheers,

Dan K.
Black Hawk, CO